Auto Tour

Civilian Conservative Corps

 

This self-guided tour will allow you to go back in time and/or memory to days of the “Great Depression,” when folks were hungry and jobs were few. Young men looked to the newly created Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as an opportunity to earn money to help feed their families. In creating the CCC, President Franklin 0. Roosevelt saw it as a way to put such men to work and, at the same time, revitalize the country’s. ravaged natural resources. It was natural that much of the CCC work centered on National Forests like the Hiawatha. Here, on the Munising Ranger District are a number of CCC Sites, including camps, work projects and plantations.

 

 

 

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#1 Wetmore Lookout Tower

On Forest Highway 13, 1.1 miles south of M-28/94

Now a Forest Service shortwave transmitter tower, the Wetmore Tower was built by CCC enrollees and was part of a continuously improving fire control and communication system on the forest. Fires spotted from this tower were reported to forest headquarters and the information related to the nearest CCC camp. Crews were on fire duty every day throughout the fire season.

 

At this time of year the woods, water, flora and fauna are richly picturesque. Campgrounds are in their grandeur and are not crowded. Fishing for salmon and trout is excellent.

 

 

 

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#2 Camp Kentucky

On Forest Road 2268, .7 mile southwest of Forest Highway 13

Camp Kentucky, in operation from May 4, 1933, into 1937, was base for the 666th Company. Projects completed by this camp include the Wetmore Lookout Tower (Stop #1) and Clear Lake Organizational Camp. Today, little remains of Camp Kentucky - just scattered foundations of a once-busy camp of more than 200 men. Evidence of structures across the road is that of the Kentucky Fire Guard Station and a repair shop of the Forest Service.

 

#3 Doe Lake Road

Forest Road 2268

One of many built by CCC crews, this scenic road winds through a variety of forest types and past beautiful lakes. Roads such as this - built to improve transportation to fires - also opened up the forest for timber harvest, timber stand improvement and recreation.

 

#4 Fisheries Work

On Big Indian River, along Forest Road 2268, 2.5 miles west of intersection with Forest Road 2254

Walk just a short distance along the Big Indian River and you will see stream improvement structures placed here by CCC crews. The log structures are intended to improve trout habitat. Wildlife projects also were part of CCC work, including research on fur-bearing animals, deer and moose.

 

#5 8 Mile Corner

At intersection of M-94 and Forest Road 2254

This monument commemorates the 1931 dedication of the West Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest, two years before the CCC program began. In 1981, the Forest celebrated the 50th anniversary of this dedication. The red pine plantation to the south of the monument was planted in 1935, one of the many plantations along this tour route planted by CCC enrollees. In 1979, this 11-acre stand was thinned as part of a timber sale, yielding 46 cords of pulpwood and 15 cords of saw timber.

 

#6 Canp Wyman

Seven-tenths of a mile east of M-9k on Forest Road 2264

Founded Nov. 25, 1933, this camp was home to enrollees of Company 671. Training by Local Experienced Men in use of tools soon produced crews skilled in tree planting, timber stand improvement and firefighting. Enrollees also worked on fire hazard reduction, telephone line construction and forest inventory. Camp Wyman was among seven Upper Peninsula camps abandoned in January, 1936. Little remains of the camp today, though some foundation holes are evident.

 

Other CCC Points of Interest

 

A - Camp Chathnni

Occupied by CCC Company 361k. Opened July 3, 1935; closed May 31, 1937.

 

B - Camp AuTrain

Occupied in July, 1935 by Company 3607, which was organized at Camp Kentucky in June, 1935. It closed in 1941 and was used as a German prisoner of war camp during World War II.

 

C - Camp Evelyn

Evelyn was established in June, 1935, for a group of enrollees from Camp Steuben who were organized as Company 3613. Closed in 1942, Camp Evelyn also was a German prisoner of war camp during the war.

 

D - Clear Lake Organizational Camp

This organizational camp, still in use today, was constructed by CCC enrollees from Camps Evelyn and Kentucky during the late 193Os and early l94Os.

 

E - Camp Steuben

Originally located near the cormiunity of the same name, Camp Steuben was home to Company 669. It moved into buildings at this site in November, 1933, and closed in 1937. Some CCC-era structures are visible at the site today.

 

F - Camp McComb

Home to Company 1614, Camp McComb was established in June, 1933, and abandoned in January, 1936, with six others in the Fort Brady District.

 

 

- CCC Auto Tour Map
Map document opens up in new web browser window.

 

- Fall Color Auto Tour & Map
Scenic Autumn Auto Tour - Use the Hiawatha National Forest as a starting point for following the spectacular colors of fall, as they blaze their way south. Auto color tour information and area map.

 

- Munising, Michigan Tourist Attractions
Munising attractions offer its visitors four very unique vacation seasons to explore and enjoy... whether its summer foot travel hiking its elaborate trail system along Pictured Rocks or snowmobiling the deep Hiawatha National Forest, there's always something for everyone visiting Munising scenic attractions

 

 

Rapid River Ranger District
U.S. 2
Rapid River, MI 49878
(906) 474-6442

 

Manistique Ranger District
U.S. 2
Manistique, MI 49854
(906) 341-5666

 

Munising Ranger District
601 Cedar
Munising, MI’ 49862
(906) 387-2512